Life With A Side Of Autism

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Several years ago I worked for a publishing company, as a secretary in the sales office. I loved that job. I had a blast with my coworkers and I enjoyed what I did and actually looked forward to going to work every morning. Of course the company got bought out, people were laid off, and that was that. Welcome to life, ladies and gentlemen.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Don't know how I feel about that, other than it's not the greatest feeling. I console myself with the knowledge that it won't be all Christmas Eve - by agreement I get the kids back late tonight. And tomorrow is Christmas and I'll creep out of bed early, start the monkey bread in the oven, climb up in the attic to pull down the sleds that Santa brought the kids, line the batteries up on the kitchen counter, and ring the jingle bells to wake the house.

But that's tomorrow, and right now, I'm alone. Even Beatrix the cat is ignoring me. She was kind enough to barf of the carpet, though, just to remind me that I'm not entirely alone here. I guess that's something.

I'm heading out the door in a few moments to drive to a local nursing home. I'm going to be singing Christmas carols for the residents today, in an effort to get my mind off all I don't have and onto being thankful for all that I do have. I hope it works.

Wherever you are, I hope you're having a wonderful holiday with family and friends and all the trimmings. Life here will continue moving forward, and soon the chaos of another Christmas morning will decorate my world with love.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

That is until I see something that the kids will love and I really must buy it. With money I don't really have, but will have when it comes time to pay the bill on the credit card. Or the late fee on the electric bill because I used that money to buy stuff my kids will cram into a corner and ignore anyway until it gets broken or I throw it away.

Monday, December 12, 2011

I was just 18 years old, and it was a week before graduation. In a few short (though they’d feel like an eternity) months, I’d be off to college and out of that podunk town. No more ridiculous rules enforced by my stifling parents. No more watching every word I said, everything I did, and being the daughter I was supposed to be, just so I don’t make waves.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

We open the episode with one of my favorite Storybrooke plot points: The DartBoard of Hot Manflesh. You'll see this appear again a few more times, and other than one brief moment with Emma, there's always an insanely hot guy playing with those darts. I need one of these dart boards. Now.

Emma runs into Sheriff ManCandy Graham at Granny's and he wants to explain why he's banging the mayor, even though he doesn't exactly know why himself. Emma shuts him down cold, Graham kisses her and something freaky happens - he starts to remember. Wow, Emma, those are some magic lips.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

If you want to see a man go through the entire range of human emotion in 2 hours (and I do not exaggerate that in the least), and the performance of a lifetime from George Clooney - you need to see "The Descendants". Hell, it would be worth going just for the soundtrack, but really, this was one amazing movie. Just amazing. This was co-written and directed by Alexander Payne, who wrote and directed another of my "so not what I was expecting" favorite movies: "Sideways".

I want to see this again. This will definitely go in the DVD file once it's out, and I would personally gift wrap George Clooney's Oscar for the Academy.

Friday, December 9, 2011

This may not seem like much, but to the mother of a child with autism, this is the world. David told me this morning (and completely unprompted) what he wants to be when he grows up. I just kissed him and sent him off to the school bus and now I'm sitting here sobbing and trying to pull myself together before work.

Not too many years ago, he only knew a handful of words, tantrumed constantly, and "growing up" was a concept that was light years beyond him. Now he knows it, and he's planning for it.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

We begin the episode with Catherine, sweet, loving Catherine, throwing her amnesiac husband who's been in a coma for as long as anyone can remember a great big party. 'Cause he's sure not to have any social anxiety or anything, coming back to reality like this. Henry theorizes that David is immune from the curse because of his amnesia.

Regina, on the other hand, is doing some girl-bonding with Catherine, trying to convince her to work harder at making things work with David - mostly because she knows David belongs with Mary Margaret, and Catherine takes a moment to thank her for being a good friend. This is one of those wonderful, subtle moments where Lana Parilla really shines. Instead of going for the smirk behind Catherine's back (because her plan is working), she chooses to let us see her vulnerability at the mere mention of the word "friend." We get the feeling that Regina hasn't had many in her life, and her heart can't help but respond to the promise of that word.

David leaves his party, seeking out Mary Margaret, and valiantly leaping her white-picket fence (like a princely boss) to get to her. David confesses his attraction, but Mary Margaret reminds him that he's married and shuts that nonsense down.